Pop culture comes to life in St. Louis next month! It’s the Wizard World COMIC CON May 22nd through the 24th at America’s Center downtown (701 Convention Plaza – St. Louis, MO 63101), and boy oh boy, do they have an amazing line-up of guests!
Sure, you got the comic artists and cosplayers, wrestlers, a St. Louis Ram, a Power Ranger, and of course the ubiquitous Walking Dead stars, but what We Are Movie Geeks is most excited about are the celebrities from movies that will be on hand: Horror legend George Romero, SHARKNADO legend Tara Reid, horror hostess with the mostest (if you know what I mean) Elvira, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY tough guy Dave Bautista, Henry the serial killer himself Michael Rooker, DO THE RIGHT THING’s ‘Buggin Out’ Giancarlo Esposito. Lord of the Rings Trilogy’s Pippin Billy Boyd, Captain America squeeze Hayley Atwell, and Silent Bob’s buddy Jay aka Jason Mewes. Wow! What a line-up!
Other well-known Wizard World Comic Con St. Louis guests to attend the pop culture extravaganza will include Arthur Darvill (“Dr. Who”), , Christian Kane (“The Librarians,” “Leverage”), Naomi Grossman (“American Horror Story”), Joey Lawrence (“Melissa & Joey,” “Blossom”), B.J. Britt (“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “Being Mary Jane”), Rick Cosnett (“The Flash”), Phil LaMarr (“Futurama,” “Family Guy”), Mark Dodson (Voice Actor – Star Wars: Episode VI), and Jason David Frank (“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers”), Robin Lord Taylor (“Gotham,” “The Walking Dead”), Liam McIntyre (“Spartacus: War of the Damned,” The Legend of Hercules), , WWE Diva Paige™, St. Louis Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree and Alanna Masterson (“The Walking Dead”) headline the roster of celebrity guests scheduled .
Wizard World is also the home of the most creative comics artists and writers on the planet. Artist Alley at Wizard World Comic Con St. Louis will feature Michael Golden (“Spider-Man,” “Daredevil”), Gerhard (“Cerebus”), Ethan Van Sciver (“Green Lantern,” “Batman: The Dark Knight”), Ken Lashley (“Superman,” “JLA”), C.S. Marks (“Elfhunter,” “Fire-heart”), Tom Cook (“He-man,” “Scooby Doo”), Jim Mahfood (“Miami Vice: Remix,” “Everybody Loves Tank Girl”), Renee Witterstaetter (“She Hulk,” “Avengers”) and many others.
In addition, all full-price Wizard World Comic Con St. Louis attendees will receive a limited edition exclusive variant cover “The Walking Dead” comic, drawn by one of Wizard World’s talented artist guests (to be announced shortly). Comics will be issued at registration while supplies last and VIP attendees will receive an additional black & white sketch version.
Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, cosplay, comics, television, sci-fi, toys, video gaming, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. The eleventh of 26 events currently scheduled on the 2015 Wizard World calendar, St. Louis show hours are Friday, May 22, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, May 23, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday, May 24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wizard World Comic Con St. Louis is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character – and some never before dreamed – will roam the convention floor and participate in the famed Wizard World Costume Contest on Saturday night.
Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A’s, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World also produces socialcon featuring social media stars and have launched ConTV, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™
For more on the 2015 Wizard World Comic Con St. Louis, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-stlouis.html
But of course We Are Movie Geeks is most excited about the movie guests and will be on hand there to report on all of the fun.
George Romero
George A. Romero was a pivotal figure in the development of the contemporary horror film and the progenitor of the zombie apocalypse subgenre. Beginning with his first feature, “Night of the Living Dead” (1968), Romero not only upped the ante on explicit screen violence and gore, but also offered a satirical critique of American society that reflected the cultural upheavals of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Most importantly, Romero ushered in a fascination with zombies and spawned numerous imitators over the ensuing decades. It’s very safe to say that AMC’s “The Walking Dead” would never have existed without the Romero influence. “Night of the Living Dead” is still considered to be one of the most influential independent films ever made. Romero’s awards and honors in recent years have stacked up to an impressive amount. And his standing ovation at Cannes Film Festival in 2005 would make any A-list celebrity jealous! Filmmakers to consider Romero as one of their main influences include, Frank Darabont, Guillermo Del Toro, Georg Lucas, Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino to name just few!!
Elvira
When you hear the name Elvira only one person comes to mind… Halloween icon and quintessential symbol of all things spooky, the one and only Mistress of the Dark. Back in 1981, who could have imagined the hostess of a local Hollywood Horror movie show would grow to become a household name? Elvira was the first horror host ever to be syndicated nationally and has emerged as one of today’s most original and outrageous pop culture characters. Elvira’s reign as ‘Queen of Halloween’ has spanned more than three decades and includes two feature films, an IMAX film, motion control rides, music CD’s and books. She has appeared in National ad campaigns for Pepsi and Coors and licensed over 500 products including pinball machines, guitars, 3 comic book series, beer, wine, perfume, slot machines and the best-selling female costume of all time. She has given countless interviews and made hundreds of film, television and live appearances – including The Grammy Awards, Saturday Night Live, two MTV Specials, Monday Night Football, NBC’s Today Show, The Tournament of Roses Parade and recent reality shows, Search for the Next Elvira, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Celebrity Ghost Stories, Oddities, Counting Cars and Face Off.She most recently co-wrote and starred in twenty-six new episodes of Elvira’s Movie Macabre and became part owner of the LA pop culture convention.
Tara Reid
Born in Wyckoff, New Jersey, USA on November 8, 1975. Tara Reid got her career start at six, when she appeared on a children’s game show called Child’s Play (1982). Later, she appeared in commercials for Jell-O, McDonald’s, and Crayola. She attended the Professional Children’s School in New York City. Her classmates included Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jerry O’Connell, Macaulay Culkin, and Ben Taylor. After several career moves, she became known after her role as Bunny, in The Big Lebowski (1998).
Michael Rooker
Michael Rooker is an American actor best known for his turn as the blue-skinned alien Yondu Udonta in 2014’s top grossing film Guardians of the Galaxy, and as the character fans loved to hate on AMC’s worldwide hit television show The Walking Dead, as Merle Dixon. Rooker has thrilled fans for decades with complex portrayals of characters audiences can’t help but cheer on despite their dark personas. He made his film debut in 1986 playing the title role in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, a film based on the confessions of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. He has since appeared in numerous films including Mississippi Burning, Sea of Love, Days of Thunder, JFK, Cliffhanger, Tombstone, Mallrats, Rosewood, The 6th Day, and Jumper. Rooker also has a prolific relationship with writer/director James Gunn, appearing in Gunn helmed productions Slither, Super and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. He has guest starred on several TV shows including Stargate SG-1, CSI: Miami, Las Vegas, JAG, Numb3rs, Law & Order, Chuck, Criminal Minds, Psych, Burn Notice, and Archer. He added his voice talents to Activision’s video game The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct. Rooker’s voiceover work in video games has also included Mike Harper, the lead character in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, and the villain Vikke in Lollipop Chainsaw. Rooker, who has eight brothers and sisters, was born in Jasper, Alabama and studied at the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, where he moved with his mother and siblings at the age of thirteen, after his parents divorced.
Billy Boyd
Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1968, this talented young boy, inspired by Star Wars to try acting, got his first taste of it in his school’s production of Oliver Twist when he was 10. Boyd’s parents were extremely supportive, driving over two hours to get him to the performances, but sadly they passed away when he was 12. He was thereafter raised by his grandmother. He realized that he enjoyed acting very much and told his school counselor that was what he wanted to be, but the counselor discouraged this choice and told him to “keep it secret.” When he was 17 he left school and went to work in a book-binding workshop. He worked there 4 years as an apprentice and 2 years as a workman. Ironically, during the years he worked at the book-binders, the Lord of the Rings trilogy was printed and bound there, many copies bound by his hands. After the 6 years as a book-binder, he was thoroughly sick of it. Billy planned on going to America for a year, but before he went he called the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and asked about applying for when he got back. But it so happened that they still had space for this year and they asked him if he wanted to apply and he did. He was at the drama school in a 3-year course for his bachelor of arts degree, meanwhile studying everything from Shakespeare to puppet-making. During this time Billy had a few small roles in TV series such as “Down Amongst The Boys” and “Taggart.” After graduating he performed in many plays like ‘The Slab Boys,’ ‘The Diary of Adrian Mole’ etc. at The St. Andrews theatre which were his first paying roles. He then received a call from his agent about the Lord of the Rings movies and if he would like to audition for them. He went along not expecting much, but within a few months Peter Jackson came out to Scotland to meet him and to audition him personally. While rehearsing for a show he received a call from his agent who said that the part of Pippin had been offered to him – if he wanted it.
Hayley Atwell
Hayley’s impressive body of work has established her as one of the finest actresses of her generation. She can currently be seen in Marvel’s ‘Agent Carter’, in which she reprises her role yet again as the feisty ‘Agent Peggy Carter’. The show picks up a year after the events of ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’, and follows Peggy Carter’s blossoming career as a secret agent. She will next be seen in the Kenneth Branagh directed ‘Cinderella’, in which she stars alongside Richard Madden, Cate Blanchett and Lily James. The film is set for release in March 2015 and is a live-action retelling of the classic fairy tale. Following this Hayley will be seen reprising her role as Peggy Carter yet again, in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’. The film is set for US release in May and will see her Star alongside Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth and Robert Downey Jr. Hayley has most recently been seen as the lead female role in the John Ridley directed, Jimi Hendrix biopic ‘Jimi: All Is By My Side’, alongside Imogen Poots and Andre 3000. Hayley’s work in film is extensive. Hayley’s ‘Bess Foster’ was the object of Ralph Fiennes’ Duke of Devonshire’s affections in 2008’s ‘The Duchess’, directed by Saul Dibb and also starring Keira Knightley as the Duchess of Devonshire. The same year audiences saw Hayley in ‘Brideshead Revisited’ alongside Emma Thompson, Matthew Goode and Ben Whishaw. She also collaborated with Whishaw in ‘Love/Hate’, a short film which was awarded runner up in the 2009 Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films. In 2011 Hayley became a box office sensation for her role as ‘Agent Peggy Carter’ in the Marvel superhero film ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ and reprised the much loved role for the 2014 sequel, ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’, in which she starred alongside a stellar cast including Chris Evans, Samuel L Jackson and Scarlett Johansson. Her other film credits include the noir thriller feature ‘I, Anna’ alongside Charlotte Rampling, Eddie Marsan and Gabriel Byrne and Nick Love’s film adaptation of the popular 70s TV series ‘The Sweeney’, in which Hayley played the female lead alongside Ray Winstone and Damian Lewis. On television, Hayley won critical acclaim for her performance in the BBC’s ‘The Line of Beauty’, an adaptation of Alan Hollinghurst’s Booker Prize-winning novel. She appeared in the ITV remake of the 1960s cult classic ‘The Prisoner’ where she played ‘Lucy’ alongside Ian McKellen and Ruth Wilson. Hayley received a Golden Globe nomination in the ‘best performance by an actress’ category for her outstanding performance in the Channel 4 drama ‘Pillars of the Earth’ based on Ken Follett’s novel. She also starred on Channel 4 in ‘Any Human Heart’ a highly acclaimed adaptation of William Boyd’s. Her other television credits include ‘Mansfield Park’ in which she played the role of ‘Mary’, ‘Ruby in the Smoke’ directed by Brian Percival and ‘Fear of Fanny’ directed by Coky Giedroyc. Late 2012 saw Hayley star as the female lead in William Boyd’s TV adaptaion of ‘Restless’ for the BBC alongside Rufus Sewell. Hayley was also seen in Sky Arts’ ‘Play House presents: The Man’ in which she appeared as ‘The Banker’, starring opposite Stellan Skarsgard, Zoe Wanamaker and Stephen Fry. Hayley was also seen on our television screens in the series ‘Life of Crime’ commissioned by ITV and produced by Ecosse Films. Hayley played risk-taking and impulsive rookie policewoman, ‘Denise Woods’, who becomes obsessed with tracking down the killer of a 15 year old girl. Hayley is also well-known as an accomplished stage actress. In September 2011, Hayley completed a run of ‘The Faith Machine’ at the Royal Court Theatre. For the National Theatre she played Barbara Undershaft in ‘Major Barbara’ and in ‘Man of Mode’, (National Theatre) directed by Nicholas Hynter and written by George Etherege. Hayley’s outstanding performance in the role of Catherine in ‘A View from the Bridge’ alongside Ken Stott and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio earned her rave reviews and a nomination in the ‘best supporting actress’ category at the 2009 Olivier Awards. Hayley has most recently been seen starring in Alexi Kaye Campbell’s Olivier Award winning play ‘The Pride’, directed by Jamie Lloyd. Hayley starred alongside Matthew Horne, Harry Hadden-Paton and Al Weaver – the story time-hops between 1958 and the present and examines society’s shifting attitudes to homosexuality. Hayley played the twin roles of Sylvia: one, a former actress in the 1950s, whose husband conceals his homosexuality; the other, the friend of a promiscuous gay man alive today.
Jason Mewes
Jason Mewes is most widely known as the never-silent half of the cult heroes Jay and Silent Bob, first appearing in 1994’s Clerks and moving on with the ever-growing popularity of Kevin Smith’s subsequent films Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and Clerks II. In addition to his ongoing role as the hilariously inappropriate ying to Silent Bob’s yang , the Jersey native has also appeared in a variety of indie films, television roles and video game voiceovers. To name only a few, Jason has appeared in the films Pauly Shore is Dead, National Lampoon’s TV: The Movie, Gone Baby Gone, Bitten, Breath of Hate, Silent But Deadly and Noobz. He has also worked on several television series, most notably Vigilante Diaries and Todd and the Book of Pure Evil. Jason has also performed in several voiceover roles such as Jay and Silent Bob’s Super Groovy Cartoon Movie, the animated series Clerks, and a brief voiceover role in the videogame Scarface. The ongoing podcast with Kevin Smith, Jay and Silent Bob Get Old was established in February of 2007 and has continued to rise in popularity as it fast approaches its 150th episode. We’ve also been promised that a Clerks III is in the near future, much to the delight of eternally loyal Jay and Silent Bob fans worldwide.
Giancarlo Esposito
Giancarlo Esposito is a celebrated television, film and stage actor whose acting career spans over several decades. He most recently earned rave reviews and awards buzz starring in AMC’s critically acclaimed award-winning series “Breaking Bad” opposite Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul. Esposito starred as Gustavo “Gus” Fring, a respected business owner whose legitimate operations allow him the perfect front to distribute Walt’s (Cranston) blue meth throughout the Southwest. He recently won the 2012 Critics Choice Award for his portrayal.He next co-stars in JJ Abrams upcoming drama series for NBC, “Revolution.” This October, he appears as a crime boss opposite Tyler Perry in Lionsgate’s “Alex Cross.” Esposito has appeared in notable films such as “Rabbit Hole,” “The Usual Suspects,” “Smoke” and “The Last Holiday.” His performances in Spike Lee’s films “Do the Right Thing,” “Mo’ Better Blues,” “School Daze” and “Malcolm X” are among his most memorable. Esposito’s other film credits include outstanding performances in “SherryBaby,” “Ali,” “Nothing to Lose,” “Waiting to Exhale,” “Bob Roberts,” “King of New York” and “Cotton Club.” In 1995, Esposito was recognized for his incredible work in “Fresh” with a nomination for an Independent Spirit Award.In 2007 through his production company, Quiet Hand Productions, Esposito made his feature directorial debut with the film “Gospel Hill.” He also co-starred with Danny Glover, Angela Bassett, Julia Stiles, Taylor Kitsch and Samuel L. Jackson. Quiet Hand Productions aspires to make “conscious content” films that focus on the inspirational. The company currently has four other projects in development, in which Esposito plans to direct, produce and co-star. One of these projects “This is Your Death,” is an unflinching look at reality TV.
Stay tuned here at We Are Movie Geeks for more coverage of Wizard World Comic Con St. Louis
